The exchange is part of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI). Berlin hosted two leaders through the YSEALI program earlier this year: Ms. Wan Noor Zalikha Wan Zaharuddin from Malaysia and Ms. Crisanta Marlene Rodriguez from the Philippines.

“Berlin is known for forging strong partnerships. That’s how you get things done in a small community,” said Mayor Gee Williams. “We have been sharing our sustainability best practices with communities throughout the state. Berlin looks forward to helping our international partners address their environmental issues and benefiting from their ideas and perspectives on our local efforts,” he added.

“It’s an honor to be invited to the Philippines as a representative of United States and the Town of Berlin in this important environmental exchange. I’m looking forward to seeing Ms. Rodriguez again and helping her in any way I can,” said Ms. Allen. “This is also a tremendous opportunity for me to learn more about ecotourism development in the Islands of Danjugan and Caramoan, and to bring those lessons back to my community,” she added.

The exchange has been arranged by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), the organization that develops and advances professional local government management worldwide.